Pedal device for pianos and other purposes



B. H. JEFFERSON AND W. l. KIRK.

PEDAL DEVICE FOR PIANOS AND OTHER PURPOSES. APPLIcATIoII FILED MAY I5. |919.

11,412.87@ I Patented Apr. Is, 1922.

entre stirare ferent critics.

BENJAMIN H. JEFFERSON AND WALTER l' Kink, or crrrcneo, Immers,

T LYON & HEALY, OF CHICAGO, LLNOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLNOS.

EDAL DEVICE FOR IANOS AND OTHER PURPOSES.

misero.

Application filed May 15,

H. Jnrr of the such as are used for pianos and for other purposes.

One ofthe objects of the invention is to provide a pedal device of the class inentioned which can be acted upon at a point or position above the one which is usually or normally acted or pressed upon.

Another object of the invention is to permit the vpedal device to be operated by acting ,upon it at such usual or normal position, as well as at such elevated point or position.

Another object of the invention is to secure these pressing surfaces at different -horizontal levels by means of a construction similar in general shape and character to the usual piano pedal.

Another object of the invention is to arrange for the easy, ready and quick adjust* ment of such relatively adjustable parts.

Another object of the invention is to secure simplicity and practicability of construction and operation.

Another object of the invention is to accomplish the foregoing and other desirable results in a simple and expeditious manner.

ln the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the lower part of the front of a piano provided with three pedal devices embodying our present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3-8 in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings we show the lower portion 1, of the front of the piano provided with three pedal devices, 2` 3, and 4. The pedal devices 2 and 3 are in position to be played by being acted upon in the usual manner by a full grown person. The pedal device 4 is in condition to be played by a short legged person, such as a child.

Each of the pedal devices 2, 3 and 4 con- Specica'ton of Letters Patent.

Patentcd Apr. d8, 1922.

1919. Serial No. 297,381.

sists of a shank 5 (Fig. 2) which is secured to a pedal bar 6 which is understood to be connected to some suitable mechanism in side of the piano whiclnis to be actuated by actuation of vthe pedal. The pedal device is also provided with a pedal member 7, preferably of the shape usual to piano pedals and having an upwardly extending portion 8 which extends alongside of the shank 5, and a horizontal portion 9 eX- tending` forwardly from the portion 8.

The member 7 is made bodily adjustable with reference to the shank 5 and is mounted so that it may be in substantially reversed position, .as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 in which the member 9 .will be elevated and the entire member 7 upside down. As one eii'ective method of so mounting the member 7, we show a pivot 10 passing through shank 5y and portion 8, whereby the member 7 may simply be rotated about said pivot.

This provides an elevated pressing surface when the member 7 is in the velevated and upside down position, .such pressing surface being thesurface 9a which is norL mally the bottom of the horizontal portion 9 when said member 7 is in its normal position, as shown by full lines in Fig. 2. When the member 7 is in in the lower position the usual pressing surface is provided and when in the elevated and upside down position an elevated pressing surface will be provided.

yAs a mattei' of further improvement the member 7 is preferably locked in adjusted positions,that is, in both the lower and elevated positions. As an advantageous arrangement a recess 11 is formed in the member 7 and a pivoted trigger 12 is arranged within this space 11 and supported on the pivot 13. Furthermore, the shank 5 is provided with a recess 14 and trigger 12 has an enlarged end 15 which can fit into said recess or groove 14. There is also a recess 16 for the lower end of the trigger, which end however, projects slightly below the bottom of the member 9 so as to allow easy access and operation of the finger or thumb. A spring 17 is arranged in the upper part of the recess 11 behind the upper end of the trigger 12 tending to push said upper end normally into the recess orV roove 14. When the end 15 of the trigger 1s in Such groove or recess, the member CTI 'will be locked in the position to which it adjusted. Tounloek the member 7 the lower end ot.' the trigger is pushed inwardly, that is, toward the pedal bar 6 and this Withdraws the enlargement l5 'from the recess or groove Then the member 7 may be swung or rotated about the pivot l0 as desired. ln Fig. :2 the trigger l2 is shown locking the member 7 in the lower position. lWhen the member 7 is reversed the enlarged end l5 of the trigger will tit into another portion of the groove le and thereby lock` said member 7 in the elevated and upside dovvn position.

It will be understood that changes and modifie-ations may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim is:

l. `A pedal device having a pedal member and means for pivotally mounting the same to permit swinging movement about an axis extending' in a direction lengthwise of said member.

2. A pedal device having a pedal member and means :for pivotally supporting the rear portion ot' said pedal member to permit the same to be turned upside down.

3. A pedal device having a pedal member and means for pivotally 'supportingl the rear portion of said pedal-'member to permit the same to be turned upside down, and means Vfor locking said pedal member in upside down position... y

4. A pedal device having a pedal member, means for pivotally ysupporting the rearI portion of said pedal member to permit i ifi.

the same to be turned upside down, and n 11,41 deve means `ior loelring said pedal member in upside down position, and valso for looking the same in lowered position.

5. A pedal devieehavinga pedal member, means tor pivotally supporting the rear portion of said pedal member to permit the to be turned upside down, and means ior locking said pedal member in upside down position, said means Comprising a trigger and groove arrangement, the parte of which are on the pedal and the part to which the pedal is connected.

6. A pedal device having a pedal member and means :tor pivotally supporting the rear portion of said pedal member to permit the same to be turned upside down, and means tor looking said pedal member in upside down position, said means comprising ai pivoted trigger carried by the pedal member and a groove formed in the support to which the pedal is pivoted and a spring tending to engage said trigger' with lsaid support.

7. A pedal device comprising a shank mounted on a pedal bar and a pedal .member connectedby a horizontal pivot With said shank, said vided with a spring cont-rolled trigger, one

Vend of Which is adapted to engage and lock in a groove in said shank, `and the other end of which projects belou7 the bottom surface of said' pedal member.

In Witness whereof, We hereunto subscribe our names this 24th day of April, A. D.,

BENJAMIN H. JEFFERSON. WALTER lf. KIRK.

pedal member being pro! 

